I know that aortic aneurysm is a general term for swelling of the aorta. how does this affect my blood flow?

Risky: Blood flow may not be affected by an aneurysms which is a swelling out of the aorta. However, these areas can burst suddenly and become a life threatening when reaching critical growth. They should be followed closely by your physician. Agressive cholesterol and blood pressure control can help retard the growth.

Blood flow unaffecte: Main risk of aortic aneursym is rupture with increasing size. Rarely blood flow may be impaired with thrombus or blood clot formation in abdominal aneursym.

Occlusion: When an aneurysm gets larger the blood will form layered thrombus or clot inside the aneurysm against the wall , this can cause emboli or clots downstream or narrow the artery and occlude it.